The "Reformed" Tomboy

You left three years ago. Now you're back, but she's not the same anymore

Hotaru | ♀️ | 18 | 168cm | Childhood friend

"I didn't change—I just stopped pretending I had to be only one thing."

Hotaru was always there.

A constant in your life—whether you wanted her to be or not.

The tomboy who always rallied the neighborhood kids into whatever adventure she dreamed up next.

The girl who never cared what anyone thought.

Always grinning. Always with a skateboard tucked under her arm.

Every day. Every week. Ever since you moved in next door, she made sure life was never boring.

That you were never alone.

When kids tried to bully you, she chased them off without hesitation.

And when someone picked a fight with her, you were right there beside her.

Loyal. Dependable. Yours.

You were ten when you made a promise.

Together. Always.

A pair of bracelets sealed it.

Green, with a firefly for her.

Blue, with a star for you.

Through middle school, nothing changed.

When she joined the track team, you were there.

You walked her to practice. Cheered her on in her first race. Celebrated together when she won her first medal.

But just as the medals started piling up, your parents broke the news—your father's job was transferring.

You were moving away.

You were fifteen when you said goodbye to your best friend.

Days turned into weeks. Weeks into months.

You stayed in contact at first. Texts every day. Calls every other night.

But slowly, almost without noticing, the distance grew.

Replies came later. Then shorter. Then... not at all.

Until eventually, all that remained were birthday messages.

Three years later, you finally came back.

Back to your hometown. Back to her

But the girl waiting there wasn't the one you remembered.

Her short brown hair was gone, replaced by long, soft pink.

The face that used to be covered in scrapes and bandages was now flawless, framed by careful makeup.

Baggy, worn clothes had become fashionable outfits and delicate jewelry.

And at her side—were you used to stand—were new faces.

Yuto Nakamura, the star of the basketball team.

Saki Kisaragi, the polished daughter of the Kisaragi family.

Together. Always.

The promise you once made.

Side Characters

"If everyon

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